Top Tips for Those Facing Redundancy over the Holiday Period

Feb. 5, 2009 - PRLog -- BRITONS fearing for their jobs over the Credit Crunch Christmas were yesterday told how to turn the festive fortnight to their advantage.
Leading career coaches, Personal Career Management, unveiled its Top Ten Tips to deal with the threat of redundancy.
It spoke out with redundancies up 21 per cent year on year and thousands more jobs likely to be lost in the New Year as the recession bites.
Tips include using the festive break to work out what your ideal job is and the round of Christmas parties for networking.  
The Christmas Sales can also help by letting you buy a new wardrobe that will make you look your best at an interview.
Personal Career Management managing director Corinne Mills, whose firm has helped more than 1,000 senior managers find new positions in the past five years, said: “Christmas is always the peak time for redundancies even in the best of years, but this year is likely to see a record number of job losses.
“The jobs market is set to become more competitive – and getting the best jobs takes planning, determination and expert advice.
“But you can use the Christmas break to boost your chances of ensuring a Happy New Year on the jobs front.
“Above all, you need to be positive. If you take control you will do much better than if you appear to be desperate.”

Corinne’s Top Ten Tips to deal with the threat of redundancy this Christmas are:
1.   Reflect. Use the time to work out what you really want from your career and your next role.
2.   Review. Redundancy or the threat of it can damage your confidence. Write a list of your skills and achievements – and remind yourself just how valuable you are.
3.   Revise. Update your CV and target it on the jobs or roles you want. There is plenty of advice on writing CV’s on the Internet.
4.   Relax.   No-one recruits over Christmas so plan some chill out time during the break.
5.   Network. Christmas and New Year provide parties galore. Don’t hide away. Use them to talk to anyone who could help you. Have business cards printed and send a Christmas card to all business contacts suggesting you meet up.
6.   Exercise. You need to let off steam so take advantage of special offers in the gym – or go for walks in the park.
7.   Budget. This Christmas holiday try to stick to a realistic budget. This will make you feel in control.
8.   Buy. Use the Sales to buy a new suit. It will look 10 times better in an interview than that old favourite just back from the dry cleaners.
9.   Advice. There is help out there - from online websites to local job centres. You could also seek professional one on one support using a reputable career management company such as Personal Career Management  who can help you get into the right job more quickly. More information at http://www.personalcareermanagement.com
10.   Train. Use the break to review any skills gaps or updating you need. Check out courses that could plug any gaps.
Personal Career Management has seen a 200 per cent increase in clients year on year. They range from people made redundant or facing it to those who just want promotion or a career change.
It provides one-on-one career coaching, identifying the skills of its clients, helping them decide what their next move should be and guiding them through writing CV’s and interviews.
Corinne said: “Using career coaching as provided by Personal Career Management takes on average at least three months off the process of getting a new job.
“But even if you don’t opt for career coaching, now is the time to turn this Credit Crunch Christmas to your advantage.”
Corinne said it is best not to adopt a scattergun approach with job applications but to be much more focussed.
She said: “We help clients to work out precisely what they want to do, how to write a CV which emphasises their qualities and then how to win in the interview.
“If you apply for jobs you are not really interested in or are not qualified for, you’ll be wasting your time. It’s much better to work to your strengths – which is what our experienced team of professional coaches helps you to do.


NOTES TO EDITORS

1.   For more information, please call Corinne Mills on 01753 888 995 or 07985 573 926.
2.   Corinne is the author of “You’re Hired! How to Write a Brilliant CV”, Trotman Publications, out on January 15.
3.   Personal Career Management has helped countless senior managers, professionals and proactive individuals since 2003. We help clients decide on their next move, help them write CV’s and prepare them for interview.
4.   We have a satisfaction rating of 98 per cent. That’s how many former clients say they would recommend us to friends and colleagues.
5.   Personal Career Management is based in Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire and Baker Street, London. More details at http://www.personalcareermanagement.com Tel 01753 888 995.
6.   Personal Career Management offers a free initial review for clients to see if career coaching is for them.

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Personal Career Management specializes in career coaching, outplacement and career development services. We provide tailored career coaching programs that help individuals make their career work for them.